Mishel Gerzig is denying reports that she blocked her husband, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, from accepting a lucrative offer to play in Saudi Arabia — and is dismissing rumors that she threatened divorce if he made the move.
The Israeli model addressed the speculation Monday evening in an Instagram story, after reports abroad claimed she was the main obstacle to a potential deal that would send Courtois to Saudi club Al-Qadsiah.
“Okay, you all need to relax and stop believing everything you read online — nobody is getting divorced,” Gerzig wrote.
She then added that there was a more important matter at hand: “And on another, much more important note — it’s my husband’s birthday!”
In a second story, Gerzig posted a photo of herself with Courtois and wrote: “Happy birthday to the love of my life,” tagging the Belgian goalkeeper.
The comments came after overseas reports claimed Al-Qadsiah was seriously interested in signing Courtois and had offered him €30 million per season. According to those reports, the main obstacle to the blockbuster deal was Gerzig, especially because Saudi Arabia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and entry for Israelis is barred.
Some reports went further, claiming that Courtois had nearly reached an agreement on personal terms with the Saudi club before the issue involving his wife emerged. One report claimed Gerzig was firmly opposed to moving to the Middle East and had threatened divorce if he signed the contract.
Gerzig’s response appeared aimed directly at those claims, making clear that she and Courtois are not divorcing and urging followers not to believe every rumor circulating online.
Courtois is currently under contract with Real Madrid until the summer of 2027. He and Gerzig have been married for about three years and live in Spain. The couple held a private luxury wedding on the French Riviera, and about a year later welcomed their first daughter, Ellie. Courtois also has two children, a son and a daughter, from his previous marriage to Marta Domínguez.